He reared Tommy some young birds and gave him the loan of two pair of stock birds. The two birds the lads are holding in the photo have won 5 x 1sts, 4 x 2nds, 2 x 3rds and three Fed Cards, and another one had won 1st & 2nd. Not a bad result for a man who lost a lot of birds to hawk activity in the area and had just four or five to race. Most of the birds that Len gave him were from his famous line of Panis birds, and I hear more are on the way. So on behalf of Joe & Tommy a big thank you to the Russell Bros, Len especially, for keeping Tommy competitive over in Rugby where he lives and races.
Broughshane loft tops Mid Antrim in OB Nat -
The NIPA faced with a terrible weather forecast for Saturday made a mid-week decision to bring the Inland Nat forward by one day and got the best race of the season to date. Some fanciers were unable to compete due to working conditions, it really is impossible to cater for everyone and some miss out. Birds were race marked on Thursday and released in Rosscarbery at 9.15am in a Lt NE wind on Friday 17th May. The best bird locally was recorded by J & N Simpson in Broughshane at 3.30pm flying 256 miles to record velocity 1201, timing a 3 year old Jan Aarden hen. It was a close finish for the runner-up place with Alan Darragh 1st Cullybackey (1188) for 5 wins on the trot, George McDowell 1st Kells (1187) the MAC winner last week, W & J Smyth 1st Ballymena (1187) and T & M Morrow Kells on 1186. The above lofts fill the top positions in the Mid Antrim Combine with 620 birds competing.
Mid Antrim Combine Rosscarbery 72/620 - J & N Simpson Broughshane 1201, A Darragh Cullybackey 1188, G McDowell Kells 1187, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1187, T& M Morrow Kells 1186, J & N Simpson 1183, D Dixon Rasharkin 1181, B Swann & Son Kells 1178, D & H Kirkpatrick Cullybackey 1172, Stewart Bros Randalstown 1172, K & K Kernohan Harryville 1172, D Dixon 1162, Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1161, W & J Smyth 1160, A Darragh 1160, Young McManus & Sons 1158, G Gilmour Ballymena 1158, A Darragh 1158, Steele & McNeill Rasaharkin 1157, B Swann & Son 1157, B Swann & Son 1156, J Millar & Son Harryville 1155, D Dixon 1154, A Darragh 1154.
Mid Antrim Combine Clubs Rosscarbery –
Broughshane & Dist 3/23 – J & N Simpson 1201, 1183, A Purvis 1130, D Houston & Son 1101, A Purvis 970. J & N Simpson top the club and the Cullybackey Centre with a Jan Aarden hen timed at 15.30hrs flying 256 miles.
Cullybackey HPS 11/108 – A Darragh 1188, D & H Kirkpatrick 1172, A Darragh 1160, 1158, 1154, 1151, Reid Bros & McCloy 1146, 1142, A Darragh 1141, Reid Bros & McCloy 1109, A Darragh 1109, Russell Bros 1106.
Kells & District 8/92 – G McDowell 1187, T & M Morrow 1186, B Swann & Son 1178, 1157, 1156, T & M Morrow 1139, Scott & Clements 1137, 1137. Sizzlers 2 Bird Club – G McDowell 1187, T & M Morrow 1186, B Swann & Son 1157, 1129, G McDowell 1114.
Ballymena & Dist 14/84 – W & J Smyth 1187, 1160, G Gilmour 1158, M/M M Sempey 1143, R McFall & Son 1120, G Gilmour 1116, M/M M Sempey 1100, G & A Eagleson 1100, 1090, Blair & Rankin 1086. The ever consistent partnership of W & J Smyth take the Red Card in the first Nat race from Rosscarbery. With a beautiful sunny day and a light north east wind this yearling widowhood cock put in a great performance to win 1st Club and 4th Centre doing velocity1187. The cock was 5th Club last week and was strongly fancied. Congratulations on your first win of the season.
Ballykeel Invitation – K & K Kernohan 1172, M/M M Sempey 1143, K & K Kernohan 1116, M/M M Sempey 1100. K & K Kernohan 1078, M/M M Sempey 1066.
Randalstown HPS 9/68 – Stewart Bros 1172, J Millar 1153, H Boyd 1147, Stewart Bros 1139, D Logan & Son 1119, J Millar 1111, FJ & G Dickey 1111, 1110. J Millar 1106, D Logan & Son 1104.
Harryville HPS 10/68 – K & K Kernohan 1172, J Millar & Son 1155, J Rock 1120, 1117, G Price 1117, K & K Kernohan 1116, J Millar & Son 1116, L Mullan 1110, B Ramsey 1094, J Millar & Son 1084. Keith Kernohan from Ballykeel has his first winner of the year timed at 15.37hrs, the 2 year old Cheq cock is from Paddy Vermeerbergen Van Reet paired to a Ponderosa Van Loon inbred to Beach Boy. This line has now produced 13 x 1sts for himself and others, sire and g/sire to top winners in both Club & Combine.
Ahoghill FC 9/94 – Young McManus & Sons 1161, 1158, J Smyth & Son 1150, A & N Young 1142, Young McManus & Sons 1137, 1137, 1134, 1133, 1126, J Balmer 1126. Seven in the top 10 for Paddy McManus including the winner.
Rasharkin & District 8/95 – Steele & McNeill 1157, 1145, Milliken & Barkley 1130, Steele & McNeill 1119, Milliken & Barkley 1117, J & D Surgenor 1106, W McFetridge 1090, H Cubitt 1085, 1047, A C & T Tweed 1037. Steele & McNeill win with a Kevin van Gaskel widowhood cock, this cock was runner up last week and wins for the second time, previously winning Talbenny last season. Danny Dixon - 1181.052, 1162.088, 1154.546, 1130.732. Race kindly sponsored by Finvoy Tyre Services.
Antrim Area Update – Big Result for Fleming Bros of Crumlin
The NIPA Rosscarbery OB Nat was flown last Friday, one day earlier than planned due to a poor weather forecast for the Saturday. Liberation was at 9.15am in a Lt NE wind and the race was a great success. Best locally was A & E Bell of the Muckamore HPS who timed at 3.11pm to record velocity 1213 for the 245 miles and will be well placed in East Antrim. Next best with the Card of the Day the high flying Fleming Bros of Crumlin & District, three birds in a minute and five arrivals by 3.15pm another great result for Ian and Jimmy. Their Blue yearling hen was well fancied and no wonder. She won 33rd Sect Roscrea 3,517 birds, 6th Sect Clonmel 3,851 birds, 1st Sect Fermoy last week 3,734 birds and 1st Sect & 88th Open NIPA plus £200 from Rosscarbery. This Hybreght/Ceusters bird was racing widowhood, clocked at 15.07hrs flying just short of 241 miles to Main Street in Crumlin.
NIPA Sect B & C Clubs Rosscarbery –
Crumlin & District – Fleming Bros 1201, 1199, 1198, 1178, 1175, K Galloway 1134.
Kells & District 8/92 – G McDowell 1187, T & M Morrow 1186, B Swann & Son 1178, 1157.
Muckamore – A & E Bell 1213, F Todd 1154, A & E Bell 1152, D J Thompson 1144.
Randalstown HPS 9/68 – Stewart Bros 1172, J Millar 1153, H Boyd 1147, Stewart Bros 1139.
Doagh & District 17/192 – M/M B McNeilly 1223, J & A Wilson & Sons 1219, M/M B McNeilly 1219, M/M D Suitters 1217.
Ballyclare & District 11/92 – Horner Bros & Son 1219, G & R Lawrie 1211, Horner Bros & Son 1177, G & R Lawrie 1174
Kingsmoss 12/111 – Knowles & Hill 1213, W Gault & Son 1209, R Lillie & Son 1165, Knowles & Hill 1164.
Danny Dixon from the Ballymoney HPS timed the best two birds in the Coleraine Centre from Rosscarbery, the winner was timed at 15.44hrs flying 261 miles to Ballymacaldrick Lofts in Dunloy to record velocity 1181. A great result for Danny who is totally dedicated to the sport and trains in all weathers.
Coleraine Centre Rosscarbery – D Dixon Ballymoney 1181, D Dixon 1162, W & W Murdock 1156, D Dixon 1154, Bond & Diamond Coleraine Prem 1146, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1146, W & W Murdock 1145, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1142, D & G McMullan Ballymoney 1141, A & M Boyle Ballymoney 1140, A & M Boyle 1139, Curry & Gilmore Ballymoney 1135, D Dixon 1134, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1133, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1133, Hanson & Harpur 1129, Diamond Bros 1127, T McCrudden 1127, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1126, D Dixon 1126.
W & W Murdock best in Coleraine –
The first OB National of the racing season was flown last Friday, a day earlier than planned due to the poor weather forecast for the Saturday. Liberation in Rosscarbery was at 9.15am in a Lt NE wind, and the best bird was timed locally in the Windsor Social by W & W Murdock. They timed at 3.57pm to record velocity 1156 for the 264 miles winning 1st Windsor Social and best in the Coleraine Triangle. Next best were the new partnership of Bond & Diamond 1st Coleraine Premier at 4.01pm and then Terence McCrudden who was 1st Coleraine & County Derry.
Coleraine Triangle Rosscarbery National – W & W Murdock Windsor Social 1156, Bond & Diamond Coleraine Prem 1146, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1146, W & W Murdock 1145, P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 1142, Curry & Gilmore Ballymoney 1135, Hanson & Harpur Coleraine Prem 1133, Diamond Bros Coleraine Prem 1133, Hanson & Harpur 1129, Diamond Bros 1127.
Coleraine Triangle Clubs Rosscarbery -
Windsor Social 11/67 – W & W Murdock 1156, 1145, R & J Parke 1111, 1107, 1103, G Donaghy Son & Grandson 1101, 1094, W & W Murdock 1076, R & J Parke 1066, 1059.
Coleraine Premier – Bond & Diamond 1146, P O’Connor 1142, Hanson & Harpur 1133, Diamond Bros 1133, Hanson & Harpur 1129, Diamond Bros 1127, Hanson & Harpur 1108, 1106, L McSeveney 1103, Hanson & Harpur 1097.
Coleraine & Co Derry – T McCrudden 1146, 1127, S Tosh 1118, T McCrudden 1106.
NIPA Sect B Clubs Rosscarbery -
Ballymoney HPS 11/117 – D Dixon 1181, 1162, 1154, D & G McMullan 1141, A & M Boyle 1140, 1139, Curry & Gilmore 1135, D Dixon 1130, D & H Stuart 1126, D Dixon 1126. Danny wins both the weekend races, the Rosscarbery winner was a Cheq yearling cock, one of his Lambrech family of birds.
Rasharkin & District 8/95 – Steele & McNeill 1157, 1145, Milliken & Barkley 1130, Steele & McNeill 1119, Milliken & Barkley 1117, J & D Surgenor 1106, W McFetridge 1090, H Cubitt 1085, 1047, A C & T Tweed 1037. Steele & McNeill win with a Kevin van Gaskel widowhood cock, this cock was runner up last week and wins for the second time, previously winning Talbenny last season. Danny Dixon - 1181.052, 1162.088, 1154.546, 1130.732. Race kindly sponsored by Finvoy Tyre Services
Dervock RPS 5/58 – D & G McMullan 1141, A & M Boyle 1140, 1139, D & H Stuart 1126, A & N Boyle 1120, 1111, D & G McMullan 1106, A & M Boyle 1106, D & H Stuart 1094, J Hutchinson & Son 1084.
Ballymoney West Combine 4/40 – Curry & Gilmore 1135, L Neill 1124, J Hutchinson & Son 1084.
City of Derry Fed Rosscarbery19/251 – Concannon Bros Maiden City 1051, P Maxwell Jnr Foyle 1048, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1029, P & M Healy Maiden City 1029, J Cassidy Londonderry 1020, B Page Foyle 955, N Murray Londonderry 978, L & B Flanagan Londonderry 968, W & D Hamilton Amelia Earhart 967, N & S McGrotty Foyle 960, E Quigley Amelia Earhart 955, P Maxwell Jnr 951, B Hart Foyle 944, Concannon Bros 944, J Cassidy 943, B Hart 933, T Mullan & Son Derry & Dist 931, Fox & Hegarty Amelia Earhart 925, S & K Quigley & Grandson Maiden City 920, J Cassidy 919.
The East Antrim birds were competing last weekend in the Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat, flown on Friday due to a poor weather forecast for the Saturday. In one of the best races of the season to date the leading East Antrim birds were timed in the Eastway HPS. The NIPA Sect C winners were M & T Griffith who recorded velocity 1232 followed by Jimmy Burrows and the D & J Campbell & Bigger team who are always to the fore, especially in the big races. Arthurs & George were best in Ballycarry & District (1226), D & J Armstrong & Son best in Carrickfergus (1226) and Rea & Magill best in Larne (1224) just decimals ahead of L & S O’Neill & Sons. The M & T Griffith team finished a good 7th Open in the NIPA with 6,212 birds competing .
NIPA Sect C Rosscarbery 130/1242 – M & T Griffith Eastway 1232, J Burrows Eastway 1229, D & J Campbell & Bigger Eastway 1226, Arthurs & George Ballycarry 1226, D & J Armstrong & Son Carrick Social 1226, W Campbell Ligoniel 1225, Rea & Magill Horseshoe 1224, L & S O’Neill & Sons Larne & Dist 1224, M/M B McNeilly Doagh & Dist 1223, Horner Bros & Son Ballyclare 1219, J & A Wilson & Sons Doagh & Dist 1219, M/M B McNeilly 1219, A Cooke Ballycarry 1219, M/M D Suitters Doagh & Dist 1217, Grattan Bros Eastway 1217, Knowles & Hill Kingsmoss 1215, A & E Bell Muckamore 1213, B & M Gilmore Doagh & Dist 1212, G & R Lawrie Ballyclare 1211, M/M B McNeilly 1211.
Sect C East Antrim Clubs Rosscarbery –
Eastway HPS – M & T Griffith 1232, J Burrows 1229, 1226, Grattan Bros 1217, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1207, M & A Pearson 1203, D & J Campbell & Bigger 1203, 1203, 1193, 1184.
Ballycarry & District – Arthurs & George 1226, A Cooke 1219, 1197, 1185, Arthurs & George 1148, A Cooke 1133, Lynch Bros 1131, N J Arthurs 1129, 1120, Arthurs & George 1119.
Carrick Social 12/91 – D & J Armstrong & Son 1226, T Peel 1186, J Millar & Son 1184, 1168, D & J Armstrong & Son 1166, E Gilliland 1164, D & J Armstrong & Son 1163, J Millar & Son 1162, J McMaw 1149, T Peel 1149. Three wins on the trot for the high flying D & J Armstrong & Son.
Ligoniel & District 21/215 – W Campbell 1225, Bingham & Seaton 1194, 1192, G & M Atcheson 1190, S Maginty 1182, McMurray & Anderson 1171, McClurkin & McCoubrey 1169, McMurray & Anderson 1170, McClurkin & McCoubrey 1169, Hanna & McClurkin 1165.
Larne & District HPS 32/297 – L & S O’Neill & Sons 1224, A S McNaghten 1204, 1204, E McAuley 1188, L & S O’Neill & Sons 1181, Crawford & Robinson 1175, 1174, R Mills & Son 1170, Crawford & Robinson 1168, R Mills & Son 1165. The NIPA moved on to Rosscarbery for the first National of the year where 32 Larne & Dist members sent 297 birds. Taking first spot and The Minis Armstrong Mem Cup was partnership of L & S O'Neill & Sons. The Glenrory lofts make it their first win of the season timing a yearling roundabout Van Herk hen of P & J Boal bloodlines which is a half-sister to 32nd National Skibbereen last year for the partnership. Larne 2 Bird Club - 1st Crawford & Robinson, 2nd B McCammon. £50 Monster Show Nom won by Crawford & Robinson.
Horseshoe HPS 8/86 – Rea & Magill 1224, 1205, C Campbell & Son 1205, Rea & Magill 1191, 1191, 1188, 1181, 1181, C Campbell & Son 1167, Rea & Magill 1165.
Doagh & District 17/192 – M/M B McNeilly 1223, J & A Wilson & Sons 1219, M/M B McNeilly 1219, M/M D Suitters 1217, B & M Gilmore 1212, D & R Turkington 1207, B & M Gilmore 1206, J & A Wilson & Sons 1193, A & N Lewis 1187, S & A Leitch 1186. Brian and Elaine win for the second week, timing one of their Leo van Rijn family of birds.
Ballyclare & District 11/92 – Horner Bros & Son 1219, G & R Lawrie 1211, Horner Bros & Son 1177, G & R Lawrie 1174, A Thompson 1124, C & L Woodside 1122, L Houston & Son 1119, D McClelland 1093, L Houston & Son 1089, R Duddy 1061. Horner Bros & Son time the same two birds as 1st & 2nd last week, G & R Lawrie are next best.
Kingsmoss 12/111 – Knowles & Hill 1213, W Gault & Son 1209, R Lillie & Son 1165, Knowles & Hill 1164, J Dawson & Son 1160, N Sharpe 1159, W Gault & Son 1151, Connor Bros 1150, J & S Graham 1143, T Lillie 1110.
Glenarm & District – G McWhirter 1195, 1195, 1191, O O’Neill & Son 1135, McMullan Bros 1132, 1126.
Carrick & District 8/53 – Degnan & McKee 1155, M/M R Reid 1152, 1148, D Elliott & Grandson 1142, T Creighton & Son 1138, Degnan & McKee 1083, Elliott Bros 1074, Degnan & McKee 1072, 1070, T Creighton & Son 1068.
City of Derry Fed Roscrea – S Duffy Derry & Dist 1215, L & B Flanagan Londonderry 1199, A McCrudden 1197, L & B Flanagan 1194, L & B Flanagan 1190, T White Amelia Earhart 1188, L & B Flanagan 1188, A McCrudden 1187, T White 1187, S Duffy 1185, J Gallagher Foyle 1183, T White 1181, P Maxwell Snr Foyle 1178, P Maxwell Snr 1178, Concannon Bros Maiden City 1176, N & S McGrotty Foyle 1176, P Maxwell Jun Foyle 1173, J & G Ramsey Derry & Dist 1172, P & M Healy Maiden City 1169, S Duffy 1168.
A race from Roscrea was also flown on Friday, some 71 crates were collected at the Cullybackey Centre on Thursday evening. There is obviously a demand for these races and they need fitted into the programme, some way. Paddy McManus of Ahoghill had a fantastic card in both races, from Roscrea he takes 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Mid Antrim Sect B. His Luc van Mechelen late breds are going really well.
NIPA Sect B Roscrea 113/2422 – Young McManus & Sons Ahoghill 1298, Young McManus & Sons 1296, Young McManus & Sons 1296, Surgenor Bros Kells 1293, J Smyth & Son Ahoghill 1286, Scott & Clements Kells 1282, D Dicon Ballymoney 1280, W & J Smyth Ballymena 1276, D Dixon 1276, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 1274, T & M Morrow Kells 1274, G McDowell Kells 1273, Young McManus & Sons 1272, J Hutchinson & Son Ballymoney 1270, D & H Stuart Ballymoney 1270, Scott & Clements 1269, A Darragh Cullybackey 1268, R & J Parke Windsor Soc 1267, A Darragh 1264, A Darragh 1264.
NIPA Sect B Clubs Roscrea -
Ahoghill Flying Club 10/260 – Young McManus & Sons 1298, 1296, 1296, J Smyth & Son 1286, Young McManus & Sons 1272, 1259, 1257, M/M Robinson 1247, C Young 1240, T & G Balmer 1239. Paddy McManus had the Card of the Day 6 birds in the top 7, all 2012 late-breds which he bred off stock obtained from Luc van Mechelen of Belgium.
Ballymena & Dist 14/220 – W & J Smyth 1276, 1257, 1254, MDC Magill 1253, J McNaghten & Son 1252, G Gilmour 1247, Richmond Bros 1246, MDC Magill 1243, G Gilmour 1241, Blair & Rankin 1238.
Ballymoney 20/657 – D Dixon 1280, 1276, J Hutchinson & Son 1270, D & H Stuart 1270, A & M Boyle 1262, D & H Stuart 1251, A & M Boyle 1250, J Connolly 1246, D & G McMullan 1242, R J Elliott 1239. Danny leads the way from Roscrea, this week’s winner one of his fast Van de Brandes, a yearling Grizzle cock.
Ballymoney West Combine 7/225 – J Hutchinson & Son 1270, R J Elliott 1239, Brown & Stewart 1208, J McDowell & Sons 1201, L Neill 1196, Curry & Gilmore 1187, D Laverty 1156.
Dervock RPS 9/324 – J Hutchinson & Son 1270, D & H Stuart 1270, A & M Boyle 1262, D & H Stuart 1251, A & M Boyle 1250, D & G McMullan 1242, 1227, J Hutchinson & Son 1222, D Devenny 1216, W & L McCaw 1204.
Broughshane 4/102 – A Purvis 1241, D Houston & Son 1237, A Purvis 1228, J & N Simpson 1225, C Kennedy 1216, 1209, J & N Simpson 1204.
Cullybackey 11/424 – H & R McCloy 1274, A Darragh 1268, 1264, Russell Bros 1254, J & J Greer 1251, H & R McCloy 1238, Reid Bros & McCloy 1233, J & J Greer 1232, Reid Bros & McCloy 1232, S McKendry 1219, Russell Bros 1218, D Robinson 1189.
Crumlin & District 3/37 – McConville Bros 1238, 1226, 1219, 1219, 1219, 1219.
Harryville 14/296 – R H Clements 1258, L Mullan 1250, A McBride 1241, R H Clements 1235, J Rock 1221, 1221, R H Clements 1220, B Ramsey 1219, J & C Letters 1218, J Millar & Son 1217. Winner for Roy was a yearling Blue w/f cock a Busschaert sent on eggs, all the top Williamson bloodlines of Millenium Superstar and Relient.
Kells & District 12/198 – Surgenor Bros 1293, Scott & Clements 1282, T & M Morrow 1274, G McDowell 1273, Scott & Clements 1269, H Boyd 1259, G McDowell 1256, H Boyd 1256.
Muckamore – A & E Bell 1301, 1291, J White 1290.
Randalstown – S Murphy 1232, 1217, F J & G Dickey 1191.
Rasharkin & District 8/136 – Milliken & Barkley 1259, Steele & McNeill 1258, H Cubitt 1252, Steele & McNeill 1245, W McFetridge 1222, H Cubitt 1220, A C & T Tweed 1215, Milliken & Barkley 1215, P McDonald 1207, W & J McLean 1190. Milliken & Barkley win with a hen away for her first race. Danny Dixon – 1280, 1276. Race sponsored by Finvoy Tyre Services.
NIPA Sect C Clubs Roscrea
Carrick Social – R & H Hamilton 1254, J McMaw 1247, R S Jackson & Son 1229.
Doagh & District 5/100 – M/M B McNeilly 1314, 1314, J & A Wilson & Sons 1313, 1307.
Eastway HPS – D & J Campbell & Bigger 1322, Whiteside Bros 1321, 1320.
Glenarm & District – G McWhirter 1195, 1195, 1191.
Kingsmoss – Knowles & Hill 1213, W Gault & Son 1209, R Lillie & Son 1165.
Larne & District – G K & I Moxham 1268, 1268, 1265.
Ligoniel 22/382 – Bingham & Seaton 1343, G & M Atcheson 1319, S Maginty 1311, W Corbett & Son 1301.
Willie Reynolds (HOMER)
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: @homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
Weekend winners in Harryville HPS, Roy Clements (l) 1st Roscrea and Keith Kernohan 1st Rosscarbery.
Billy Smyth (W & J Smyth) won both weekend races in Ballymena & Dist.
Alan Darragh won five races on the trot into Cullybackey.
Danny Dixon topped the Coleraine Centre from Rosscarbery.
Higginson & Johnston of Lurgan, 1st Open NIPA Rosscarbery OB Inl Nat.